title: A pilot demonstration of comprehensive mental health services in inner-city public schools.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  National policy statements increasingly espouse the delivery of comprehensive mental health services in schools. In response to the limited evidence supporting this recommendation, the purpose of this study was to assess the need for, and feasibility, desirability, and outcomes of a full model of comprehensive mental health services in 2 public elementary schools in inner-city neighborhoods.
  
  
  METHODS
  The program, based upon a national model for comprehensive school mental health services, comprised universal and indicated preventive as well as clinical interventions designed to target needs identified in a baseline screening survey. The program was implemented over 1 school year by mental health professionals in collaboration with school teachers. Mental health outcomes comparing baseline to follow-up data were assessed in multiple domains among students and teachers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 1 year of intervention, students had significantly fewer mental health difficulties, less functional impairment, and improved behavior, and reported improved mental health knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behavioral intentions. Teachers reported significantly greater proficiency in managing mental health problems in their classrooms. School staff overwhelmingly endorsed satisfaction with the program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If the observed favorable findings from this pilot demonstration can be replicated in methodologically rigorous studies, additional support would be garnered for national policy recommendations about comprehensive school mental health services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, 850 Harrison Avenue, Dowling 9, Room 9205, Boston, MA 02118, USA. heather.walter@bmc.org
authors.forename: Heather J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gouze
authors.forename: Colleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cicchetti
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arend
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Madelynn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skvarla
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002947:Cities; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D005178:Faculty; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*; D015146:Midwestern United States; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012574:Schools